Improvement in humming-tops



W. GOODWIN & H. MAYER.

HUMMING TOPS.

Patented Aug.1,1 876.'

N) PEYERS. PHOTO-UTHOGRAPHEK WASHINGTONv 0 0.

UNITED OFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN HUMMiNG-TOPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 180,573, dated August1, 1876; application filed May 26, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WALLACE GooDwIN and HENRY MAYER, of Detroit, in thecount-y of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented an Improvement inHumming-Tops, of which the following is a specification:

The first part of our invention relates to a peculiar form ofhumming-tops, consisting of the floor or other level surface.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the top in its holder. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal vertical section, showing the top released from the holder.

In the drawing, A represents a spindle, terminating in a point, a, ateach end. B B are two double convex sheetmetal shells, axially mountedon the spindle, and in each is cut one or more square openings, 1),nearthe perimeter, to producethe humming tone when the top is spun.These openings are cut or pitched to produce chord-tones whichharmonize. The string (3 is wound on the spindle between the tops.

The holder consists of two levers, D D, pivoted together by a pin, 0,passing through a lug cast on each. A spring, E, between the handles,forces the latter apart, causing the other extremities, in each of whichthere is a cup, 0, Fig. 2, to close upon the end of the spindle; but thelatter is relieved from end pressure by two stops, d (1, cast upon thelevers, of such length as to allow the top to freely rotate in saidcups.

The top is revoked at a high rate of speed by pulling off the cord, andit may be allowed to run in the holder; or, by opening the latter, thetop may be dropped upon a level surface to spin, or if dropped with thespindle in a horizontal position the top will roll a long distance on alevel surface.

What we claim asour'invention is- 1. The hollow double convex shells BB, of equal diameter, axially mounted on the spindle A, to form aspinning top, substantially as described.

2. The levers D D, pivoted together, and provided with the spring E,cups 6 e, and stops d d, all combined to operate substantially asdescribed.

WALLACE GOODWIN. HENRY 'MAYER. Witnesses:

H. S. SPRAGUE, H. F. EBnR'rs.

